The 30th IAGS was recently held from Oct 14-18 in Adelaide, South Australia. It is a prestigious scientific event, commonly run on a biennial basis, and is held under the auspices of the Association of Applied Geochemists (AAG), representing a significant gathering of geochemists from all over the world. The theme for the 2024 conference was “Applied Geochemistry for a Sustainable Future” and we achieved our goal of attracting over 300 representatives from industry, universities, research organisations, government departments and consultancies, along with a strong contingent of recent and current students. The chance to host the IAGS once again in Australia (last held here in 2005) presented many opportunities to advance geochemistry and its application to exploration and the environment, promote the exchange of scientific knowledge and encourage research and development, and foster geochemistry as a profession of choice. With a strong focus also on diversity and inclusion, plus the financial and governance support of the AAG, we believe that the IAGS presented an exciting opportunity to showcase the organisation to an international audience.